Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 2
2
At the very least, older prisoners will remain a significant proportion of the prison population.
Recommendation
At the very least, older prisoners will remain a significant proportion of the prison population. It is likely that the size of the cohort will rise further after increases in police numbers and changes to sentencing come into effect. It is important that the size of the older prisoner population can be predicted as accurately as possible, so the prison system can prepare and be resourced most appropriately. In its response to this report, the Government should publish updated projections for the ageing prison population for the next five years. These should factor in, as far as possible, the effects of its planned increases to police numbers and changes to sentencing policy. (Paragraph 28) Accommodation for older prisoners
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
• The Prime Minister has previously made clear his focus on tackling crime, and last year announced investment of up to £2.5 billion to provide 10,000 additional places that are decent, safe and secure. Alongside meeting the immediate need of protecting the prison population against the threat of covid-19, we are working towards delivering these additional places over the next six years, and the needs of older prisoners and those with mobility challenges have specifically been considered in the design of these new prisons, to ensure that buildings are accessible. For example, in the new build resettlement prisons at Wellingborough and Glen Parva, improvements include bedrooms suitable for those with reduced mobility, level access across the site, and provision of lifts in all buildings to ensure all areas of the prison are accessible, as well as finishes known to aid way- finding and orientation for those with reduced cognition or visual impairments. • At the same time, we are also developing our long-term plans now to ensure we deliver a resilient and sustainable prison estate in the future. As part of this, we will build on learning from Wellingborough and other parts of our current expansion programme, to explore how the prison environment can best support all cohorts, but in particular those who are most vulnerable such older prisoners. • We will provide an update and outline our plans towards the end of the year, allowing us to consult with the committee and others early next year, and move towards publication of a long-term estates strategy.